Go Back   Jemsite > Toolbox: Setup, Repairs and Mods > Tech: Setup, Repairs and Mods

Tech: Setup, Repairs and Mods Guitar workbench discussion such as setup, repairs, mods, installing new parts and more.



Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-17-2003, 03:54 AM
drkillpatient21 drkillpatient21 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 23  -  iTrader: (0)

newbie here: changing strings


well ive been playing guitar for about a month now and my strings sound like crap, like th elife has been sucked out of them so i figure its time for a change. now, iv'e changed strings before but not on a guitar equiped with a floyd. ive been reading some guides on how to do it and all of them are different. some tell me to remove and install them 1 by 1, others tell me to block the trem and remove them all at once, im confused
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-17-2003, 04:11 AM
Rich Rich is offline
Vendor
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,463  -  iTrader: (19)
If all you're doing is changing strings one at a time is without equal the easiest way to go. If you want to clean you fretboard, or actually do some setup work all strings off is usually the way to go, depends on exactly what you need to do.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-17-2003, 04:14 AM
Rich Rich is offline
Vendor
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,463  -  iTrader: (19)
Just don't forget to stretch the crap out of them!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-17-2003, 04:20 AM
drkillpatient21 drkillpatient21 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 23  -  iTrader: (0)
so when i want to remove all of the strings to do a setup or something else, i must block the trem, but im just changing strings, 1 by 1 will work, correct?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-17-2003, 04:46 AM
Rich Rich is offline
Vendor
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,463  -  iTrader: (19)
Definately the easiest one by one.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-19-2003, 07:46 AM
drkillpatient21 drkillpatient21 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 23  -  iTrader: (0)
ok i screwed this up somehow. the guitar wont stay in tune AND ive noticed the bridge is slanted slightly forward now(which i know isn't a good thing) when it used to be even with the body. heres what i did:


1)unlocked the nut
2)removed the low e by unwinding it from the post, then removed it from the bridge using allen key. removed string, inserted new one into bridge, locked string into bridge with allen key then wrapped it around the tuning peg. after it was tied and locked in, i throughly stretched the string.


i did this with every other string as well until all were tied and locked in. then i tuned the guitar to standard tuning with the machine heads, then locked the nut and tuned it again with the fine tuners on the bridge. thats when i noticed the bridge was screwed. i really wanna learn this myself and dont wanna have to take it to a tech(already did once, charged me $50 ) can someone give me some suggestions on what i can do here? id appreciate it.


thanks
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-19-2003, 11:05 AM
dex_ibanez dex_ibanez is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 76  -  iTrader: (0)
after you replace one string you should have tuned it to pitch before you took out another one....instead of just placing the string there and tuning everything at once...
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-19-2003, 11:54 AM
BluewookieJim BluewookieJim is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: CT
Posts: 59  -  iTrader: (2)
hey don't feel bad man, I've been playing Ibanez guitars with floating bridges since 88, and I still run into this problem once in a while, though it usually happens to me when I removing all of the strings to clean the neck or bridge.

Just be patient. and it will come to you. I use a bridge stopper that I made out of about 6 half popsicle sticks taped together. I've also seen plastic bottle caps and dominoes used as bridge stops.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-19-2003, 02:03 PM
pawel pawel is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, UK
Posts: 2,632  -  iTrader: (2)
Don't worry, i learned to deal with floyds by trial and error, and it took me a long time...After putting on a new string and streching it you should have roughly tuned it to pitch, also while tuning all the strings, remove slack from the low E downwards...To adjust the trem angle, remove the cavity cover and tighten the two screws...While doing this tune to pitch to get the angle right (i.e tighten screws, tune, tighten more, tune again...)...well, i'm nor good in exokaining things, so you'll be better looking at this: http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech.htm#Tuning (it has pictures too )
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-19-2003, 08:22 PM
hamand hamand is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: London, England
Posts: 453  -  iTrader: (0)
http://www.ultimateguitarpage.com/tips/change.html

this is the best page I've seen thus far.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-19-2003, 09:16 PM
Scott 74 Scott 74 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 1,293  -  iTrader: (5)
For future reference block the trem, and change all the strings at once. Make sure when you block the trem you keep it at the proper angle as if there were strings still on the guitar. Then from there do a quick clean on the fretboard(make it a habit each time you change the strings). Make sure that you get up against the frets as well cause thats where alot of crud likes to build up over time. Once you finish put all six strings on(don't wind the strings yet until all six are on)
*note I'm doing mine with the ball ends on the headstock. Not cut off

Once all six are on then just tighten each string starting with the low E. Only tighten enough to get rid of the slack at first. Then from there start to get a rough tuning. Once you do that then fine tune all six. Once there all properly in tune then stretch the strings, retune, stretch, retune and so and so on. Personally I only have to pull on the strings about 4 or 5 times before they start to hold there tune. Another thing I also do that I don't think anyone has mentioned yet is leave the nut unlocked for at least 24hrs as to let the strings fully stretch, and settle.

I don't know if it's only me, but it seems from time to time your going to have to adjust the trem cavity screws to get your angle dead on so I wouldn't stress if after a string change your trem sits slightly high or just a little lower than usual. To me it's just the nature of having a double locking trem! Hope that helps
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-19-2003, 09:23 PM
Rich Rich is offline
Vendor
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,463  -  iTrader: (19)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scott 74
Make sure when you block the trem you keep it at the proper angle as if there were strings still on the guitar.
Never leave the trem level like this. You may get away with it 10 times, you may get away with it 50, but sooner or later the trem will walk up the studs and pop off!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-20-2003, 07:15 PM
Scott 74 Scott 74 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 1,293  -  iTrader: (5)
How should I do that part then? Is there a better way to block it without having to remove the trem, and not worry about it flying off? Thx
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 02-20-2003, 08:09 PM
drkillpatient21 drkillpatient21 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 23  -  iTrader: (0)
thanks for the help guys. question regarding the trem angle, if i decide to block the trem and remove all the strings at once, how much of angle should it be at? for example, should it be pushed forward enough to where its touching the body? or maybe not that far?
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 02-20-2003, 11:50 PM
Rich Rich is offline
Vendor
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 16,463  -  iTrader: (19)
I block it at a really steep angle, take no chances, take no prisoners
Reply With Quote
Comparison Shopping
Rocktron Vendetta Series V412 240W 4x12 Guitar Extension Cabinet with Celestion

As low as $899

at 3 sellers

Mel Bay Mastery of the Flamenco Guitar Series DVD, Volume 2

As low as $24

at 3 sellers

Members with more than 50 posts don't see this bar

Hao RB-1 Rust Booster

As low as $128

at 12 sellers

Fulltone '70 Fuzz Guitar Effects Pedal Dark Blue

As low as $144

at 16 sellers

Members with more than 50 posts don't see this bar

Electro-Harmonix XO Stereo Pulsar Tremolo Guitar Effects Pedal

As low as $75

at 11 sellers

Thomastik EB345 Medium-Light Power Bass Roundwound 5-String Bass Strings

As low as $60

at 9 sellers

Members with more than 50 posts don't see this bar

Kaces Boutique Polyfoam Acoustic Guitar Case

As low as $72

at 4 sellers

Martin DC15E Acoustic Electric Cutaway Dreadnought Guitar

As low as $1225

at 5 sellers

Members with more than 50 posts don't see this bar

Blueridge BR-163 Historic Series 000 Acoustic Guitar Natural

As low as $746

at 3 sellers

Crate FlexWave Series FW120H 120W Guitar Amp Head

As low as $200

at 9 sellers

Members with more than 50 posts don't see this bar

John Pearse 600L Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings

As low as $6

at 8 sellers

Shadow Acoustic Guitar NanoMAG Pickup with Endpin Preamp

As low as $177

at 3 sellers

Members with more than 50 posts don't see this bar

Spectrasonics Trilogy Total Bass Module Software

As low as $279

at 3 sellers

Hudson Music Fender Presents: Getting Started on Electric Guitar - The Next Step

As low as $10

at 7 sellers

Members with more than 50 posts don't see this bar

Reply

Tags
bridge angle, cavity cover, claw screws, edge trem, edge trems, floating bridges, hoshino usa, ibanez guitars, playing guitar, reverse headstock, string saddle, tuning pegs
 
Quick Reply
Reply:
Image Verification
Please enter the six letters or digits that appear in the image opposite.


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Sitemap:1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
(c) jemsite.com
 
close
Sign up for free and join one of the largest communities of Jem guitar lovers!
Our members will be glad to help you with anything you need!

Join over 30,000 JemSite members!

Email

Email Confirm Email
Username
Password Confirm Password

I agree to the website rules